Category: National Basketball League

New Zealand Breakers sign Scotty Hopson, alter coaching structure

Brandon King

From NBL.com.au: The SKY Sport Breakers will have a new coaching structure to challenge for the NBL20 as well as a new import in Scotty Hopson. A club review identified a need for better internal cohesion between the SKY Sport Breakers high-performance staff and the executive team. As a result, a new executive position of Director of Basketball has been created and filled by Israeli Dan Shamir who has arrived in New Zealand with an impressive international resume. The 44-year-old has been an Assistant or Head Coach in top leagues in…

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NBL games to air live on SBS Viceland and ESPN

Brandon King

It will be a bit easier to view National Basketball League (NBL) games because now the league has reached an agreement with SBS and ESPN. The deal doubles the number games available on free-to-air, makes them viewable at better time slots and now every game available in HD. Under the terms of the agreement, fans will be able to view all the NBL games for free with 67 games airing on SBS VICELAND and all of the games will be streamed live and free on SBS VICELAND. NBL fans within…

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Kouat Noi puts NBL on notice: “I think I am going to win Rookie of the Year”

Brandon King

Written for nbl.com.au by Liam Santamaria Cairns Taipans rookie Kouat Noi believes he’ll have a major impact on the NBL right out of the gate. The versatile forward has made it clear that he’s not messing around when it comes to his debut professional season, declaring himself the best rookie to enter the NBL in over a decade. Noi, who turned pro back in May after two years at Texas Christian University (TCU), is expected to start and play major minutes for the Taipans this season. And the 21-year-old is…

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NBL and NBA teams to play as part of third consecutive preseason

Brandon King

The previous two years have seen NBL teams play NBA teams in the preseason and it will continue next season. The NBA and NBL made the announcement recently. The Adelaide 36ers,Melbourne United, and SKY Sports New Zealand Breakers of the NBL will play a total of five preseason games against the Los Angeles Clippers , Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies from October 6-17. NBL Chief Executive Jeremy Loeliger had this to say of the continuation of the interleague preseason games: That this series is now…

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Jerome Randle and Sydney Kings part ways for NBL20

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au : After one and a half seasons in Sydney, Jerome Randle and the Kings will part ways heading into the 2019-20 NBL season. Randle has just finished the season with Lokomotive Kuban in Russia, and is exploring his options for next season. Randle averaged 17.9 points and 4.1 assists during the 2018-19 season, and took out Sydney’s club MVP honours in the 2017-18 season. Sydney Kings Chairman Paul Smith thanked Jerome for his time in Sydney. “Jerome made a significant impact on Sydney basketball during his time here.…

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NBL Rookie Harry Froling talks about his NBA Dream

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au : Reigning NBL Rookie of the Year Harry Froling is currently completing a hectic schedule of pre-draft workouts. Having worked out with the Utah Jazz last month and Sacramento Kings yesterday, Froling will put his skills on display for the Washington Wizards on Thursday and Philadelphia 76ers on Friday (Australian times). He will then look to impress a bunch of NBA executives at his Pro Day in Miami and is contemplating adding another couple of teams to his already-busy schedule. Following his workout with the Kings, Froling spoke…

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Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum amongst names for USA Basketball

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au : Team USA’s squad for the matches against Australia at Marvel Stadium in August continues to grow, with numerous All-Stars among the updated list of reported names to be added to the team. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, players expected to join USA’s training camp for the FIBA World Cup includes Bradley Beal, Eric Gordon, Kyle Kuzma, Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, CJ McCollum and Jayson Tatum. PJ Tucker and  Paul Millsap were also mentioned as possibilities to be included in the squad. USA’s two games against the Boomers will serve…

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High Schol Star RJ Hampton to join NBL’s New Zealand Breakers

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au : US teen sensation RJ Hampton will join the New Zealand Breakers as part of the NBL Next Stars program. Hampton, 18, is the number three ranked point guard in ESPN’s 2020 Draft Class Rankings and is the sixth highest ranked prospect overall, making him the highest ranked draft prospect to play in the NBL. Hampton, who is widely considered a top prospect in the 2020 NBA Draft, announced his decision to join New Zealand live on ESPN’s Get Up. From Little Elm High School in Texas, he…

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Josh Boone signs deal with Illawarra Hawks

Brandon King

courtesy of nbl.com.au : The Illawarra Hawks have dropped a serious #NBL20 bombshell with the signing of highly sought after free agent, Josh Boone. Boone joins the Hawks on a 1-year deal. No stranger to success in the NBL, Boones’ time with Melbourne United saw him make the grand finals in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons. With a championship under his belt (2017/18), Boone was also awarded the All NBL First Team Honours in 2018. His experience provides a great balance to the current line up at the Hawks. Boone won an…

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NBL and Players’ Association reach new Collective Bargaining Agreement

Brandon King

courtesy of nbl.com.au : The National Basketball League (NBL) and the Australian Basketball Players’ Association (ABPA) will deliver the most professional conditions in the League’s history under a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Minimum salaries will significantly increase and investment in player welfare and development will be doubled under the three-year agreement. Under the deal: Minimum salaries for players will be set at $55,000 – an increase of 38 per cent since 2016; Development Players will receive a minimum salary for the first time, set at $17,000 for the NBL Season;…

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